The direct and indirect impacts related to water, inherent to ore extraction activities, are constantly evaluated and monitored, and in addition, Samarco’s processes and projects are focused on the prospect of minimizing the use of new water in operations and the search for operational alternatives, as it recognizes the importance of preserving water resources and, to this end, implements measures to ensure the responsible use of water in its operations.

The goals to improve performance in this area include reducing the specific consumption of new water and improving the quality of water and wastewaters in the sub-basins in which we are located, applying a rigorous Water Resources Management master plan and using technologies advanced for reuse and treatment.

Samarco recognizes the invaluable importance of biodiversity and is committed to the conservation and protection of biodiversity, which is why the company monitors the fauna and flora in its area of ​​influence in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, and has research initiatives in favor of conservation of threatened, rare and endemic species, in addition to contributing to the permanent preservation of green areas for current and future generations.

We are committed to restoring degraded ecosystems and reconstructing biodiversity and preservation of natural resources, currently accumulating almost four times the proportion of preserved areas in relation to operational areas.  All restoration activities are carried out predominantly with a direct labor and are based on different methodologies, such as fencing, conservation, management, land regularization and planting.

Samarco remains dedicated and committed to improving its management of non-mineral waste and contributing to an increasingly circular economy. It operates pursuant to the National Solid Waste Policy and also in its Corporate Solid Waste Management Plan (PCGRS). It also has its own environmental education program to internally generate awareness on the subject.

On average, we will allocate 77.3% of waste for recycling in 2023. By directing its waste to recycling processes, Samarco actively contributes to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, avoiding soil and water pollution. Furthermore, recycling allows the reuse of materials, reducing the extraction of natural resources and minimizing associated environmental impacts.

Ambition: Foster a circular economy that transforms waste and co-products into inputs, both from Samarco to other industries and by incorporating other chains into Samarco’s process.

This topic is essential for Samarco and is the target of a specific Strategic Program that works to develop sustainable solutions, through innovation projects, for the use of tailings and overburden generated by the operation and to increase the useful life of disposal structures. We have resumed our operations using filtration of sandy tailings that are arranged in piles and no longer in dams, and we have been studying solutions such as Dry Stacking, to enable slimes filtration.

Several studies have been conducted with the purpose of implementing solutions for reusing overburden and tailings in other applications. The result of one of them is the application of sandy tailings in paving blocks. In 2023, blocks produced from Samarco’s tailings were used in the paving work on the Purificação road that connects the district of Antônio Pereira to Ouro Preto (MG).

Another important ongoing initiative is the reuse of sandy tailings and overburden as material in the de-characterization works of the two dam structures raised using the upstream method: Germano Dam and Pit.

The de-characterization of the two dams raised using the upstream method continues within the expected planning, with the works on the Germano Dam Pit being completed in 2023 and those on the Germano Dam continuing until 2028. This is a major action to ensure the prevention of disasters and the promotion of safety for society. The de-characterization process is directly supervised by the National Mining Agency (ANM) and the competent state bodies and the State and Federal Public Prosecution Office.

Atmospheric and climate management is essential for companies to face the challenges of climate change, adjust to environmental regulations, manage risks, and find opportunities for innovation. Samarco is committed to minimizing its impacts on the climate and implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from scopes 1, 2 and 3.

Our annual emissions inventory has the Gold seal of the GHG Protocol Program. We follow the industry’s decarbonization goals set out by IBRAM and we participate in sectoral projects such as the sectoral greenhouse gas inventory promoted by IBRAM, the “Zero Carbon Mining project”, a IBRAM partnership with Energy System Catapult from the United Kingdom. We also constantly monitor other emissions such as particulate matter, which is important for preserving air quality and protecting the health of host communities and ecosystems in the regions where we operate. There are six stations in Anchieta (ES) and one station in the community of Santa Rita Durão, surrounding the Germano unit, with public results available to environmental agencies and communities.

By measuring and strictly controlling these parameters, Samarco seeks not only to comply with environmental regulations, but also to become a reference in the mining sector, aiming for operational excellence and environmental preservation.